Looking to the future, Rev. Dr. Darryl Totty, superintendent of the Greater Detroit District, encourages us to remember the faith that formed us as we invest in mission, relationships, and the generations to come.
DARRYL TOTTY
Superintendent, Greater Detroit District
The Christian faith was never meant to stop with one generation. It is a story meant to be shared, lived, and carried forward. The psalmist reminds us of this calling: “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4, NIV). Today, the church continues that same mission — passing on hope, faith, and love so that those who come after us will know the transformative power of God’s grace.
One image that captures this responsibility comes from the African concept of the sankofa bird. The bird looks back while moving forward, carrying an egg that represents the future. Its message is simple but profound: We must learn from the past to guide what comes next. The church also follows this same wisdom when it honors the faith that shaped us while preparing the next generation to lead.
Today, our congregations include Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z, and the emerging Generation Alpha. Each generation brings different experiences, questions, and expectations. Yet the heart of the gospel remains unchanged. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NRSVUE). One of the most powerful ways this faith is shared from generation to generation is through mission serving others, building relationships, and witnessing God’s love in action.
During my ministry, I have witnessed the transformative power of mission while serving in Haiti and South Africa. These experiences reinforced a truth Jesus taught long ago: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35, NRSVUE). When we focus less on what we receive and more on what we give, faith becomes visible and alive.
At Thembani Primary School in South Africa, my 14-year-old daughter joined our mission team and experienced something that left a lasting impression on her. As she spent time with students her own age, she witnessed children dancing with joyful energy, their laughter expressing hope in ways words alone could not capture. Some students performed scenes from “Sarafina!,” the musical that tells the story of young people who resisted apartheid. Through music and movement, they shared a powerful story of courage, resilience, and justice.
Being around young people whose lives differed from her own opened my daughter’s eyes in new ways. She saw students her age expressing joy, determination, and courage despite challenges she had never experienced. The encounter helped her see how hope and faith flourish in community and how young people everywhere can inspire one another to pursue justice and possibility.
Moments like this help explain why many Millennials and Generation Z are drawn to experiences that make faith tangible. Younger generations often connect most deeply with faith when they see it lived out through relationships, service, and shared purpose. Encounters like the one at Thembani Primary School reveal that faith grows not only through words but through meaningful engagement with others.
Experiences like these also reshape how we see faith across the world. I have seen this same spirit in many places around the globe. While the beauty of the Champs-Élysées in Paris or the avenues of New York City reflects prosperity and opportunity, I have also witnessed profound faith and generosity in places with far fewer resources, such as the roads of Port-au-Prince or communities near Cape Town.
These experiences also remind us of the strength of being a connectional church. As United Methodists, we do not carry out ministry alone. Our congregations are linked by shared mission, leadership, and resources, allowing us to serve communities across Michigan and around the world. Through this connection, we support global missions, disaster response, theological education, and local ministries that no single congregation could sustain on its own. When we work together as a connectional church, our collective witness becomes stronger, and our mission reaches farther.
Throughout history, people of faith have modeled this same commitment to serving others and investing in the next generation. History reminds us that every generation must rise to its moment of responsibility. Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, once wrote, “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.”
Similarly, Mary McLeod Bethune, a woman of deep faith and a member of the Methodist tradition, founded Bethune-Cookman University, a historically Black institution rooted in Christian education and leadership development. Her vision demonstrated how faith, education, and community empowerment can shape generations.
Like the sankofa bird, I encourage The United Methodist Church to look back with gratitude and move forward with holy boldness. When we remember the faith that formed us as we invest in mission, relationships, and future generations, we continue the work entrusted to us.
In doing so, we carry forward Christ’s promise, sharing hope, love, and joy with a world that desperately needs it.
The ministry of our district superintendents is made possible thanks to generous financial gifts from local United Methodist churches in Michigan through Ministry Shares. Thank you! Learn about the impact of Ministry Shares on mission and ministry in Michigan and around the world.
Last Updated on March 17, 2026